PhD Studentship: Modelling & Economics of Vaccine-Preventable Diseases in South East Asia

About the Project

Decisions on adopting vaccine policies for infectious diseases can be informed by model-based economic evaluations of the costs and benefits achieved, including the indirect benefits by reducing transmission. Supply-chain and manufacturing process design can also be informed by modelling. Additional investments in manufacturing processes may improve the robustness or responsiveness of vaccine supplies, but how do we decide whether such investments are ‘worth it’?

This PhD will use mathematical and economic modelling within a multidisciplinary project working across the Faculties of Health and Engineering at the University of Sheffield, working with South East Asian countries. There will be flexibility to refine the exact topic of the PhD to complement the work of a postdoctoral research associate, but it will lie at the intersection of health economics, infectious disease modelling, and manufacturing process modelling.

Candidates will have a very strong quantitative background and willingness to develop and work across disciplines, but are welcomed from backgrounds in economics, engineering, epidemiology, public health, as well as subjects such as mathematics, physics, or computer science.

This PhD project sits within the UK-South East Asia Vaccine Manufacturing Research Hub (UK-SEA Vax Hub), funded by the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) and the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC). Under the leadership of the University of Sheffield, the UK-SEA Vax Hub comprises four esteemed UK academic institutions and collaborates with 12 partners from South-East Asian countries. Distinguished by its multidisciplinary expertise in vaccine research and manufacturing, the hub serves as a dynamic platform for scientific innovation. The successful candidate will become an integral member of a highly skilled team of researchers within the hub, contributing to the development of cutting-edge solutions in the field of vaccine manufacturing.

For more information about the research work of Prof. Dodd, Prof. Brennan and Prof. Lee, please visit:

Prof. Pete Dodd (https://www.sheffield.ac.uk/smph/pete-dodd)

Prof. Alan Brennan (https://www.sheffield.ac.uk/smph/alan-brennan)

Prof. Andrew Lee (https://www.sheffield.ac.uk/smph/lee-andrew-professor)

For inquiries or additional information, please reach out to Prof. Pete Dodd (p.j.dodd@sheffield.ac.uk).

Please see this link for information on how to apply: https://www.sheffield.ac.uk/smph/postgraduate/phd. Please include the name of your proposed supervisor and the title of the PhD project within your application.

Applicants should have a 1st in an undergraduate degree with strong quantitative component (e.g., mathematics, engineering, physics, statistics, computer science) or a 2.1 in an undergraduate degree with a distinction in a relevant masters degree (e.g., epidemiology, engineering, economics).

Funding Notes

This studentship covers the Home tuition fees and a stipend at the UKRI rate (currently £18,622 in 2023/24) for 3.5 years. Further information on tuition fees can be found here: View Website.

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